Stanford learns Ucan beat UConn women

STANFORD, Calif. - Top-ranked Connecticut's record 90-game winning streak is over.

The Huskies never led and were beaten by No. 9 Stanford, 71-59, last night, ending a remarkable run.

Stanford was the last school to beat coach Geno Auriemma's team, in the 2008 NCAA semifinals.

Jeanette Pohlen hit five three-pointers on the way to a career-high 31 points and the Cardinal (9-2) had the Huskies' number at last - a huge number at that. Stanford won its 52nd straight at Maples Pavilion in a rematch of last season's NCAA title game won, 53-47, by two-time defending national champion UConn.

"I'm just happy for our team," Stanford doach Tara VanDerveer said. "The streak is something that they did. We're about Stanford and what we want to do."

Huskies star Maya Moore was held to 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting. UConn hadn't lost since an 82-73 defeat to Stanford on April 6, 2008, in the Final Four at Tampa, Fla.

"I thought we let it get away from us," Auriemma said. "I think the atmosphere and what was going on and when Maya couldn't get going early. I think it affected the rest of our guys. We just didn't play like ourselves. Give credit to Stanford. I think they played an unbelievably good game."

Last week, the Huskies (12-1) topped the 88-game winning streak set by John Wooden's UCLA men's team from 1971-74 by beating No. 22 Florida State, 93-62, then won their 90th in a row this week at Pacific.

Pohlen sealed it with six free throws in the final 42.5 seconds. She shot 8-for-15 overall and had nine rebounds and six assists.

"I just had that mentality. I'm not giving up until that buzzer goes off," Pohlen said. "I think our team was really looking for me to get my shot. I'm just happy that we defended Maples. We got the win, and our team played awesome."

Nnemkadi Ogwumike added 12 points and six rebounds and Kayla Pedersen 11 rebounds for an inspired Stanford squad that held a 43-36 advantage on the boards.

Moore's three-pointer with 10:50 left cut Stanford's lead to 48-44, then Pedersen answered moments later on the other end. Moore tried to will her team back late, scoring eight straight during one stretch. But she missed the front end of a one-and-one off the rim with 1:42 left that could have made it a four-point game.

Kelly Faris scored 19 points and Bria Hartley 14 for the Huskies.

Stanford hasn't lost at home since a 68-61 upset by Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March 2007. *